Method and kit for attaching side shields to eyeglass temples

ABSTRACT

A method for mounting safety shields onto eyeglass temples and a kit for carrying out that method. A temple of an eyeglass frame is placed in a channel forming part of a side shield thereafter, a pin is inserted into an opening formed in the side shield to create a force fit between the temple, the channel and the pin which attaches the side shield to the temple. The side shield is placed in its operative position before the pin is inserted into the opening and the force fit resulting from the insertion of the pin into the opening holds the side shield in its operative position. The kit includes a side shield having a longitudinally extending channel into which a longitudinally extending eyeglass temple may be inserted. The channel has an open lateral end through which the temple may be inserted and a supporting lateral end against which the temple may be supported. The side shield further includes an opening extending transversely to both the longitudinal direction and the supporting lateral wall. A pin is adapted to be inserted into the opening so as to force the temple against the supporting end of the channel to create a force fit between the side shield and the temple when the temple is located in the channel. A member having a slot formed therein is affixed to the temple to receive the pin and prevent the temple from moving longitudinally within the channel of the side shield.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuing application of U.S. Ser. No. 08/320,447, filed Oct.11, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,351.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved method for mounting safetyshields onto eyeglass temples and a kit for carrying out that method.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional safety spectacles include side safety shields which areremovably affixed. However, the case often arises where the employers donot want the employees removing the safety shields.

In the situations where the employer prefers that the shields bepermanently affixed the methods of attachment have been rivets, screws,lock-nuts or adhesives. Drilling the temples, which may be plastic ormetal, and then securing the shield with a screw or rivet has variousdrawbacks. Cutting a hole through the temple weakens the temples andoften the temples break during drilling.

Moreover, drilling the temples cannot be done on an “as needed” basis inthe field, but must be done in an optical laboratory or where a drillpress is readily available.

Affixing the shields by rivets or screws prevents manufacturers fromdesigning safety spectacles having thinner and lighter temples.Employees are more likely to comply with eye protection requirementswhere the safety spectacles are more comfortable and fashionable.

The extra drilling operations increase labor costs and opportunity forinjury to the optical laboratory worker.

Another disadvantage with drilling or riveting the shields to thetemples is that removal is awkward, requiring extra tools. The templesare weakened or broken during removal of the shields. At the least, thetemple is left with an unsightly unaesthetic hole.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,505,679 discloses a pair of safety spectacles havingremovable side shields. Flanges of the side shield are snapped over thetemple of the glasses. This is disadvantageous, as repeated placementand removal of the shields weakens the shield's flanges, and eventuallythe flanges will snap and the entire side shield must be replaced.Moreover, an employee can easily remove the shields, even if theemployer requires the shields to be worn.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,721,490 discloses side shields which are permanentlyfastened to a pair of eyeglasses without the use of screws or adhesives.However, the attachment means are formed integrally with the sideshields. Thus, not only is removal difficult, but once the shields areremoved, they are not designed to be used again.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,165,754 teaches separate means for removably attachingthe shields to temples of a pair of glasses. The attachment meanscomprise a support member having hooks for engaging a lens frame and apair of sidewardly extending support arms which contact the top andbottom surfaces of the hinge between the temples and lens frame. Theattachment means must be connected to the eyeglass frame and temples bya screw. Thus, simple installation is not possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention makes it possible to secure side shields to thetemples of a pair of glasses in such a manner that the shields cannoteasily be removed. In the preferred embodiment, the side shields areattached to the temples by a pin which “permanently” secures the sideshields to the temple in the sense that the pin must be permanentlydeformed or broken (e.g., by cutting) in order to remove the sideshields.

In accordance with the method of the present invention, a side shield isattached to the temple of an eyeglass frame by:

(a) placing the temple in a channel forming part of this side shield;and thereafter

(b) inserting a pin into both an opening formed in the side shield andinto a slot formed in a member affixed to the temple to create a forcefit between the temple, the channel and the pin which attaches the sideshield to the temple.

In the preferred embodiment, the side shield is initially placed in itsoperative position before the pin is inserted into the opening and theforce fit resulting from the insertion of the pin into the opening holdsthe side shield in the operative position.

The kit of the present invention comprises:

(a) a side shield having a longitudinally extending channel into which alongitudinally extending eyeglass temple may be inserted, said channelhaving an open lateral end through which said temple may be inserted anda supporting lateral wall against which said temple may be supported,said side shield further having an opening extending traverse to bothsaid longitudinally extending channel and said supporting lateral wall;

(b) a pin adapted to be inserted into said opening so as to force saidtemple against said supporting lateral wall of said channel and tocreate a force fit between said side shield and said temple when saidtemple is located in said channel; and

(c) a member having a slot formed therein affixed to said temple toreceive said pin and prevent said temple from freely movinglongitudinally within the channel of said side shield.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in thedrawing several forms which are presently preferred, it beingunderstood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of glasses having safety shieldsmounted thereto using the kit of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view partially in section showing themanner in which the kit of the present invention can be mounted oneyeglass temples.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3—3 of FIG. 2 before thepin of FIG. 1 has been used to attach the side shields of FIG. 1 to thetemples of the eyeglass frame of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 3—3 of FIG. 1,wherein the pin has been inverted into its operative position.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a pair of glasses onto which the safety shieldhas been mounted.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are detailed views showing a first modification of thepresent invention which prevents the side shield from being movedlongitudinally along the eyeglass temple.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are further detailed views showing a second modificationof the present invention which prevents the side shield from being movedlongitudinally along the eyeglass temple.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are further detailed views showing a third modificationof the present invention which prevents the side shield from being movedlongitudinally along the eyeglass temple.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate likeelements, there is shown in FIG. 1, a pair of eyeglasses 10 which havebeen made into safety glasses by the additional of side shields 12coupled to the temples 14 of the eyeglass frames 15 in accordance withthe preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The kit of the present invention makes it possible to add side shieldsto a standard eyeglass frame 15 on the job site. The kit includes a pairof side shields 12 and a pair of connecting pins 16 for coupling theside shields 12 to the temples 14. In the preferred embodiment, the sideshields 12 wrap around the side and a portion of the top of the glasses10.

A longitudinally extending channel 18 is formed in each side shield 12as best shown in FIGS. 1-3. The channels 18 extend along a longitudinalaxis and are adapted to closely receive a respective temple 14 of theeyeglass frame 15. Before the pin 16 is inserted into an opening 20formed in the channel 18, the temple 14 sits loosely, but closelyfitted, within the channel. See FIGS. 2 and 3. In the preferredembodiment, the channel 18 is formed integrally with the side shield 12.If desired, however, the channel 18 may be formed separately andconnected to the side shield 12 by any appropriate means.

Four detents 22 are formed in the open lateral end of channel 18 totemporarily hold the temple 14 within the channel 18 before the sideshield 12 is “permanently” attached to the temple 14 by insertion of thepin 16 into the opening 20. Since the space between detents 22 issmaller than the height of the temple 14 (as best shown in FIG. 3), thetemple is preferably inserted into the channel 18 in a positionperpendicular to that illustrated in FIG. 3 and is then rotated into theposition illustrated. Before the side shield 12 is “permanently”attached to the temple 14, it is placed in its operative positionillustrated in FIG. 1. In this position, the front of eye shield 12should be aligned with the front of the frame 15. Since the temple 14fits loosely within the channel 18, the side shield 12 can easily bemoved longitudinally along the temple 14 into the operative position. Inthe preferred embodiment, a lip 24 (FIG. 1) is formed on the front edgeof the side shields 12 to partially cover the front of the eyeglassframe 15. Once the side shield 12 has been moved into the operativeposition, it is “permanently” affixed to the temple 14 by inserting pin16 into the opening 20.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the pin 16 is preferably U-shaped and includesa pair of legs 26, 28 which depend from a common cross bar 30. In thepreferred embodiment, the left or insertion leg 26 is longer than theright leg 28. The primary purpose of the right leg 28 is to partiallyclose the opening 20 formed in the channel 18 once the pin 16 has beeninserted into opening 20. The insertion leg 26 operates as a wedgebetween the temple 14 and the side shield 12 and frictionally couplesthese elements together. Particularly, as the insertion leg 26 is movedinto the opening 20 between the temple 14 and the side edges 36, 38 (seeFIG. 3) of the side shield 12, the insertion leg 26 will force thetemple 14 to the right, wedging it against the surfaces 40, 42 (see FIG.2) of the channel 18. This captures the temple 14 within the channel 18and makes it difficult to slide the channel 18 relative to the temple14.

To assist in the insertion process, the distal end 32 of insertion leg26 is formed with a bevel which prevents the end 32 from getting caughton the edge 34 (FIG. 3) of the side shield 12. In the preferredembodiment, the end 32 is formed with an angular bevel. A curved bevelcould also be used.

In the preferred embodiment, the materials (preferably deformableplastic) of the side shield 12 and pin 16 as well as the size and shapeof the channel 18 and insertion leg 26 are selected to ensure that theinsertion leg 26 must be force fit into the opening 20 and will maintaina substantial force fit between the temple 14, the leg 26 and thesupporting surfaces 40, 42 (FIG. 2) to make it difficult to remove thepin 16 from the opening 20 and also to make it difficult to slide theside shield 12 longitudinally along the temple 14. This will create anessentially “permanent” connection between the side shields 12 and thetemples 14. Of course, the connection is not really permanent since thepin 16 can be removed from the opening, at least with the aid of a toolsuch as pliers, and since the pin can always be cut.

To improve the “permanent” nature of the coupling, the pin 16 ispreferably performed with an angularly detent 44 which allows the pin 16is be snap-fit to the opening 20 as the insertion leg 26 is insertedbetween the temple 14 and the surfaces 36, 38 of side shield 12. Thebeveled edge 45 of detent 44 permits the insertion leg 26 to be insertedfairly easily into the opening 20. Once the detent 45 has moved beyondthe edge 46 of the side shield 12 (see FIG. 4). The top edge 47 of thebevel 44 snaps below the edge 46 and makes it difficult to remove thepin 16 from the opening 18.

While the pin of the preferred embodiment has a pair of legs 26, 28, itis the interaction between insertion leg 26, temple 14 and surfaces36-42 which create the desired force fit connection. Accordingly, theleg 28 and cross bar 30 can be omitted if desired.

While the foregoing embodiment is satisfactory in most circumstances, itis possible for the wearer of the glasses to defeat the “permanent”nature of the connection by sliding the side shields 12 axially towardsthe rear of temple 14 as shown in FIG. 5. While the force fit created bythe insertion of the pin into the opening will make it difficult toslide the side shields longitudinally along the temples 14, it ispossible to do so with the use of significant force.

In most eyeglass frames, the height of the temples reduces towards theear piece 48. As a result, when the side shield is moved into theposition shown in phantom in FIG. 5, the force fit connection betweenthe pin 16, the temple 14 and the side shield 12 is significantlyreduced making it possible to rotate the side shield 12 relative to thetemple 14 and to remove the pin 16.

In order to reduce this possibility, it is often desirable to provideadditional means for preventing longitudinal movement of the sideshields 12 along the temples 14. Three structures for achieving thisresult are illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 11.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, a thin notch 50 is milled into thetemples 14 to receive the insertion leg 26 of connecting pin 16. As theinsertion leg 26 is moved into the hole 20 (the side shield 12 and itsassociated channel 18 are not shown in these figures), it is insertedinto the notch 50 and finally rests within the notch 50 as shown in FIG.7. As a result, the temple 14 is not free to move longitudinally withinthe channel 18. While a small groove is formed in the temple 14, thisdoes not have the drawbacks of the prior art systems wherein a hole isdrilled into the temple 14. Since only a small notch need be formed, thetemple 14 is only slightly weakened. More importantly, there will be nounsightly hole in the temple if the side shields are removed since thenotch 50 is formed in the side of the temple adjacent the wearer's headand is not seen when the glasses are worn.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 (again the side shield 12 and itsassociated channel 18 are not illustrated), the insertion leg 26 isinserted between a pair of projections 52 which prevent longitudinalmovement of the temple 14 relative to the side shield 12. Theprojections 52 are preferably the heads of screws which are utilized toscrew the temple 14 to the frame of the eyeglasses 10.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11, a metal member 60 having a slot 62formed therein is soldered or otherwise affixed to the temples 14 toreceive the insertion leg 26 of a connecting pin 16. By providing for aseparate member 60 with a slot 62 formed therein, it is not necessary toform any slots or holes in the temple 14 itself which would weaken thetemple 14. Additionally, there will be no unsightly hole in the temple14 if the side shields 12 are removed since the member 60 is located onthe inside of the temple 14 adjacent the wearer's head and is not seenwhen the glasses are worn.

As the insertion leg 26 is moved into the hole 20 (the side shield 12and its associated channel 18 are not shown in these figures), it isalso inserted into the slot 62 of the member 60 and finally rests withinthe slot 62 as shown in FIG. 11. As a result, the temple 14 is not freeto move longitudinally within the channel 18.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and,accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, ratherthan to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of theinvention.

1. A method of attaching a side shield to a temple of an eyeglass frameof the type which has a member with a slot formed therein coupled tosaid temple, said method comprising the steps of: (a) placing saidtemple in a channel forming part of said side shield; and thereafter (b)inserting a pin into both an opening formed in said side shield and saidslot to create a force fit between said temple, said channel and saidpin which attaches said side shield to said temple.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said temple extends along a longitudinal direction,said slot extending in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinaldirection, said pin preventing said side shield from moving in saidlongitudinal direction.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said member isformed of synthetic material and said member is coupled to said temple.4. The method of claim 2, wherein said member is formed of metal and issoldered to said temple.
 5. A kit for attaching a safety shield to atemple of a pair of eyeglasses, said kit comprising: (a) a side shieldhaving a longitudinally extending channel into which a longitudinallyextending eyeglass temple may be inserted, said channel having an openlateral end through which said temple may be inserted and a supportinglateral wall against which said temple may be supported, said sideshield further having an opening extending transverse to both saidlongitudinally extending channel and said supporting lateral wall; (b) amember having a slot formed therein coupled to said temple; and (c) apin adapted to be inserted into both said opening and said slot so as toforce said temple against said supporting wall of said channel and tocreate a force fit between said side shield and said temple when saidtemple is located in said channel.
 6. The kit of claim 5, wherein saidmember is formed of synthetic material and said member is coupled tosaid temple.
 7. The kit of claim 5, wherein said member is formed ofmetal and said member is soldered to said temple.
 8. The kit of claim 5,wherein said member is rounded on respective sides.
 9. The kit of claim5, wherein said pin and said channel are formed of a deformable plasticmaterial.
 10. The kit of claim 5, wherein said pin has an insertionsection adapted to be inserted into both said opening and said slot, anend of said insertion section being beveled to assist in the insertionof the insertion section into said opening and said slot.
 11. The kit ofclaim 10, wherein the insertion section further has a detent formedthereon to create a snap fit between said insertion section and saidside shield as said insertion section is inserted into said opening whensaid temple is located in said channel.
 12. The kit of claim 5, whereinsaid pin is formed with a detent which enables said pin to be snap fitonto said side shields.
 13. The kit of claim 5, wherein said pin isU-shaped.
 14. The kit of claim 13, wherein said U-shaped pin has firstand second legs adapted to straddle said temple.
 15. The kit of claim14, wherein a first one of said legs is beveled to assist the insertionof that leg into said opening and said slot.
 16. The kit of claim 15,wherein a detent is formed on one of said legs.
 17. The kit of claim 16,wherein said detent is formed on said first one of said legs.
 18. Thekit of claim 17, wherein said pin includes a pair of legs depending froma cross bar and wherein a detent is formed in one of said legs at alocation adjacent said cross bar.
 19. The kit of claim 5, wherein saidslot is of a width approximately equal to the width of an insertionsection of said pin.
 20. A method of attaching a side shield to a templeof an eyeglass frame, said method comprising the steps of: placing saidtemple in a channel forming part of said side shield; and thereaftercreating a force fit between said channel and said temple to preventsaid side shield from moving relative to said temple.
 21. The method ofclaim 20, wherein said step of creating a force fit between said channeland said temple comprises the step of causing relative movement betweensaid channel and said temple.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein saidtemple has a recess formed therein and said step of creating a force fitbetween said channel and said temple comprises the step of inserting apin into both an opening formed in said side shield and said recess. 23.A method of attaching a side shield to a temple of an eyeglass frame,said method comprising the steps of: (a) placing said temple in achannel forming part of said side shield; and thereafter (b) inserting apin into an opening formed in said side shield such that a force fit isobtained between said temple and said channel.
 24. The method of claim23, wherein said temple extends along a longitudinal direction, saidslot extending in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinaldirection, said pin preventing said side shield from moving in saidlongitudinal direction.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein said memberis formed of synthetic material and said member is coupled to saidtemple.
 26. The method of claim 24, wherein said member is formed ofmetal and is soldered to said temple.
 27. A kit for attaching a safetyshield to a temple of a pair of eyeglasses, said temple having a recessformed therein, said kit comprising: a side shield having a channel intowhich said temple may be inserted, said channel defined by first andsecond spaced apart walls and a third wall formed on said side shield,said first and second walls having at least one leg portion dependingtherefrom, said at least one leg portion adapted to force said templeagainst said third wall of said channel and to create a friction fitbetween said side shield and said temple when said temple is disposed insaid channel.
 28. A kit for attaching a safety shield to a temple of apair of eyeglasses, said temple having a slot formed therein, said kitcomprising: (a) a side shield having a longitudinally extending channelinto which a longitudinally extending eyeglass temple may be inserted,said channel having an open lateral end through which said temple may beinserted and a supporting lateral wall against which said temple may besupported, said side shield further having an opening extendingtransverse to both said longitudinally extending channel and saidsupporting lateral wall; and (b) a pin adapted to be inserted into bothsaid opening and said slot so as to force said temple against saidsupporting wall of said channel and to create a force fit between saidside shield and said temple when said temple is located in said channel.29. The kit of claim 28, wherein said member is formed of syntheticmaterial and said member is coupled to said temple.
 30. The kit of claim28, wherein said pin and said channel are formed of a deformable plasticmaterial.
 31. The kit of claim 28, wherein said pin has an insertionsection adapted to be inserted into both said opening and said slot, anend of said insertion section being beveled to assist in the insertionof the insertion section into said opening and said slot.
 32. The kit ofclaim 31, wherein the insertion section further has a detent formedthereon to create a snap fit between said insertion section and saidside shield as said insertion section is inserted into said opening whensaid temple is located in said channel.
 33. The kit of claim 28, whereinsaid pin is formed with a detent which enables said pin to be snap fitonto said side shields.
 34. The kit of claim 28, wherein said pin isU-shaped.
 35. The kit of claim 34, wherein said U-shaped pin has firstand second legs adapted to straddle said temple.
 36. The kit of claim35, wherein a first one of said legs is beveled to assist the insertionof that leg into said opening and said slot.
 37. The kit of claim 36,wherein a detent is formed on one of said legs.
 38. The kit of claim 37,wherein said detent is formed on said first one of said legs.
 39. Thekit of claim 38, wherein said pin includes a pair of legs depending froma cross bar and wherein a detent is formed in one of said legs at alocation adjacent said cross bar.
 40. The kit of claim 28, wherein saidslot is of a width approximately equal to the width of an insertionsection of said pin.